The Omen remake
I saw The Omen remake last night and while it’s not a bad film it just feels kind of pointless. It’s pretty much a scene for scene remake of the 1976 original, no doubt released to cash in on the once in a lifetime 06-06-06 date.
If you haven’t seen the film, or read David Seltzer’s book, you’ll probably enjoy the fact that the film keeps the horror real. There are no swirling demonic minions; just ordinary people working for evil, and often regretting their actions.
Otherwise, if, like me, you enjoyed the original film and the novel, you may be a bit bored in parts, particularly during the mystery-solving scenes in which Damien’s origins are uncovered. The 2006 film adds nothing new for viewers familiar with the original story, apart from a few references to the early 21st Century being the End of Days.
Still, it’s not a bad film; just disappointingly average. Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles competently fill the original roles played by Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, and the supporting cast includes David Thewlis’s photo-journalist, Mia Farrow as exceptionally creepy nanny Mrs Baylock, and a welcome return for Pete Postlethwaite (who I haven’t seen onscreen in years) as a repentant priest. Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick looks suitably intense as 5 year old Damian, who has recognised his difference from other children, yet hasn’t quite grasped the extent of his powers.
If you want to see a really good Anti-Christ movie twosome, try and get hold of the original Omen and Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby, starring Mia Farrow.
If only more people would get over their prejudice against films over 20 years old…
If you haven’t seen the film, or read David Seltzer’s book, you’ll probably enjoy the fact that the film keeps the horror real. There are no swirling demonic minions; just ordinary people working for evil, and often regretting their actions.
Otherwise, if, like me, you enjoyed the original film and the novel, you may be a bit bored in parts, particularly during the mystery-solving scenes in which Damien’s origins are uncovered. The 2006 film adds nothing new for viewers familiar with the original story, apart from a few references to the early 21st Century being the End of Days.
Still, it’s not a bad film; just disappointingly average. Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles competently fill the original roles played by Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, and the supporting cast includes David Thewlis’s photo-journalist, Mia Farrow as exceptionally creepy nanny Mrs Baylock, and a welcome return for Pete Postlethwaite (who I haven’t seen onscreen in years) as a repentant priest. Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick looks suitably intense as 5 year old Damian, who has recognised his difference from other children, yet hasn’t quite grasped the extent of his powers.
If you want to see a really good Anti-Christ movie twosome, try and get hold of the original Omen and Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby, starring Mia Farrow.
If only more people would get over their prejudice against films over 20 years old…
Comments
Anyway, the more I think about the Omen remake, the more I wonder why they didn't just rerelease the original on its 30th anniversary, much like they did with The Exorcist.